Quick composite repair template tool and method

ABSTRACT

A composite repair template tool includes a tool body, a convex radius edge on the tool body and a concave radius edge on the tool body.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 12/939,485,filed Nov. 4, 2010, status pending.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to repair of composite structures. Moreparticularly, the disclosure relates to a low-cost quick compositerepair template tool and method for expeditiously locating and measuringa repair area on a composite structure for repair of the structure.

BACKGROUND

In the repair of composite structures, measuring tools and hand layoutmay be used to measure and locate the area which is to be repaired.However, there may be a target time for each repair and conventionalrepair area measurement and location methods may be time-consuming.Moreover, variations in methods for locating a repair area and applyinga repair patch to the area may lead to uncertainty in repair patchposition with respect to damage which may affect final load caringcapability. Consistency in application and location of repair patcheswill lead to less uncertainty and better understanding of how loads areintroduced into the repair patch. Known position data will provideconfidence for the usage and repair application.

A low-cost quick composite repair template tool and method forexpeditiously locating and measuring a repair area on a compositestructure for repair of the structure is needed to (a) ensureinstallation time constraints are met, and (b) ensure installationposition tolerances are met.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is generally directed to a composite repair template toolfor expeditiously locating and measuring a repair area on a compositestructure for repair of the structure. An illustrative embodiment of thecomposite repair template tool includes a tool body, a convex radiusedge on the tool body and a concave radius edge on the tool body.

In some embodiments, the composite repair tool may include an alignmenttemplate having a damage sizing opening; a plurality of damage sizingsheets carried by the alignment template and having a plurality ofdifferent damage sizing openings, respectively. Each opening registeringwith the damage to the center of the alignment template. The damagesizing openings progressively decreasing in diameter from the largestdamage size possible.

The disclosure is further generally directed to a composite repairmethod. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes providing acomposite repair template tool having a tool body with a convex radiusedge and a concave radius edge, placing one of the convex radius edgeand the concave radius edge of the tool body against a repair surfaceand initiating a repair process if a contour curvature of the repairsurface has an equal to or larger radius than one of the convex radiusedge and the convex radius edge of the tool body standard. The convexand concave edges of the radius tool correspond to the minimum allowableradius of curvature on which the quick repair patch may be placed;structure with smaller radius of curvature is not approved for applyingthe repair patch.

In some embodiments, the composite repair method may include providing aquick composite repair template tool having an alignment template with adamage sizing and locating opening and damage sizing sheets on thealignment plate with progressively smaller damage sizing openingsaligned with the damage sizing opening of the alignment template;placing the alignment template against a repair surface; progressivelyremoving the damage sizing sheets from the alignment template until arepair area on the repair surface is able to be fully contained in thecenter of the sheet opening. The sheets get progressively larger up tothe maximum damage size allowed. If damage cannot be fully containedwithin the sheet with the largest opening or other specified sheet(indicating maximum allowable damage size), the damage is determined toexceed the allowable damage size for which the repaired area may beapplied. If damaged area fits within the damage size opening of at leastone of the damage sizing sheets with a hole equal to or smaller than theallowable damage area, the damage is first centered within the openingand then the repair may proceed and begin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the quickcomposite repair radius check and measurement template tool. FIG. 1includes FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, each showing a side view of a quickcomposite repair radius check and measurement template tool.

FIG. 2 is an alternative illustrative embodiment of the quick compositerepair radius check and measurement template tool.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative illustrative embodimentof the quick composite repair damage centering template tool.

FIG. 4 is a front (top) view of the quick composite repair template toolof FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a rear (bottom) view of the quick composite repair templatetool of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the quick composite repair template toolof FIG. 3, with multiple damage sizing sheets lifted from an alignmenttemplate of the tool.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the quick composite repair template toolof FIG. 3, with three damage sizing sheets lifted from a bottommostdamage sizing sheet which remains on the alignment template of the tool.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the quick composite repair template toolof FIG. 3, with the topmost damage sizing sheet removed from thealignment template.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the quick composite repair template toolof FIG. 3, with the two topmost damage sizing sheets removed from thealignment template.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the quick composite repair templatetool of FIG. 3, with the three topmost damage sizing sheets removed fromthe alignment template.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the alignment template of the tool ofFIG. 3, with all but the largest diameter damage sizing sheet removedfrom the alignment template.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the bottommost damage locating sheet on thealignment template.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the alignment template of the tool of FIG. 3which shows all damage sizing sheets removed and the three coloredalignment dots, that will align with damage sizing sheet alignment holesand provide a positive confirmation that all sheets are properlyaligned.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the alignment template of the tool of FIG. 3,more particularly illustrating exemplary dimensions for the variouselements of the alignment template.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative embodiment of a quick composite repairmethod.

FIG. 16 is an alternative illustrative embodiment of a quick compositerepair method.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of an aircraft production and servicemethodology.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended tolimit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is nointention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented inthe preceding technical field, background, brief summary or thefollowing detailed description.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1A-1B, an illustrative embodiment of thequick composite repair template tool, hereinafter tool, is generallyindicated by reference numeral 1. The tool 1 may include a tool body 2which may have a generally triangular shape in some embodiments. Thetool body 2 may be a thin and durable water resistant material which maybe capable of withstanding sanding and chemicals. In some embodiments,the tool body 2 may be plastic, metal or other suitable material.

The tool body 2 may have a generally convex radius edge 3, a generallyconcave radius edge 4 and a ruler edge 5. In some embodiments, the toolbody 2 may be generally triangular, as shown. Accordingly, the concaveradius edge 4 may extend generally perpendicularly from the convexradius edge 3 at a corner 7. The ruler edge 5 may extend from theconcave radius edge 4 at a corner 8 and from the convex radius edge 3 ata corner 9. Ruler markings 6 may be provided on the tool body 2 alongthe ruler edge 5. The ruler markings 6 may be millimeter markings,centimeter markings, inch markings or any combination thereof, forexample and without limitation.

In exemplary application, the tool 1 may be used to measure the size andlocation of an area which is to be repaired on the surface of acomposite structure (not shown). Accordingly, the radius of the surfaceof the repair area may be measured to ensure that the repair areasurface has a radius which is able to accommodate a quick compositerepair solution. In the event that the surface of the repair area isconcave, the convex radius edge 3 may be placed against the repair areasurface. In the event that the convex radius edge 3 of the tool body 2makes full contact with the entire repair area surface, or touches atone point 29, as shown in FIG. 1A, the radius of the repair area may beof sufficient size to enable use of a quick composite repair patch. Onthe other hand, in the event that the convex radius edge 3 contacts therepair area with an exact match or the structure surface in twolocations and a gap exists between the convex radius edge 3 and therepair area surface, the radius of the repair area surface may beinsufficiently small to enable use of a quick composite repair patch torepair the repair area.

In the event that the surface of the repair area is convex, the concaveradius edge 4 may be placed against the repair area surface. In theevent that the concave radius edge 4 of the tool body 2 makes fullcontact, with the entire repair area surface, or touches at two points 7and 8 as shown in FIG. 1B, with a gap, the radius of the repair area maybe of sufficient size to enable use of a quick composite repair patch.On the other hand, in the event that the concave radius edge 4 contactsthe repair area surface at just one point along the concave radius edge4 and the repair area surface, the radius of the repair area surface maybe insufficiently small to enable use of a quick composite repair patchto repair the repair area. (the surface being measured has smallerradius of curvature than the tool surface)

In the event that the convex radius edge 3 matches the concave repairarea surface or the concave radius edge 4 matches the convex repair areasurface, the ruler markings 6 on the ruler edge 5 of the tool body 2 maybe used to measure the location and/or size of the repair area. A quickcomposite repair patch of suitable size may then be selected and used torepair the repair area according to the knowledge of those skilled inthe art.

Referring next to FIG. 2, an alternative illustrative embodiment of thequick composite repair template tool is generally indicated by referencenumeral 1 a. The tool 1 a may have a design which is similar to the tool1 which was heretofore described with respect to FIG. 1 except the tool1 a may have a notched corner 7 a where the convex radius edge 3 meetsthe concave radius edge 4 and a truncated corner 9 a where the convexradius edge 3 meets the ruler edge 5. Accordingly, the tool 1 a may havefewer sharp edges or corners than the tool 1 which was heretoforedescribed with respect to FIG. 1.

Referring next to FIGS. 3-13, an alternative illustrative embodiment ofthe quick composite repair template tool is generally indicated byreference numeral 14. The tool 14 may be a thin and durable waterresistant material which may be capable of withstanding sanding andchemicals. In some embodiments, the components of the tool body 14 maybe plastic, metal, reinforced paper or other suitable material. The toolbody 14 may include an alignment template 15. The alignment template 15may be sufficiently thin to facilitate bending of the alignment template15 to the contour of the repair surface to which the alignment template15 is applied. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, multiple alignment markings16 may be provided on the alignment template 15. In some embodiments,the alignment markings 16 may be colored dots. Other embodiments, thealignment markings may be square, triangular, and oval in shape. Adamage sizing opening 17 may extend through the alignment template 15.As shown in FIG. 14, in some embodiments the damage sizing opening 17may have a diameter of about 6.25 inches. The alignment template 15 mayhave a length and width of 12.0 inches. Curved slots representing thediameter for a cover patch with perimeter 18 may be provided on thealignment template 15. Slots in the template allow marking the structurein preparation for aligning the perimeter of the cover patchconcentrically over the repair patch. In some embodiments, the coverpatch perimeter 18 may include slots which extend through the thicknessof the alignment template 15. The cover patch perimeter 18 maycorrespond in diameter to the diameter of a cover patch (not shown)which is to be used to cover and seal a smaller repair patch area on acomposite structure, as will be hereinafter described.

Exemplary dimensions for the alignment template 15 according to someembodiments of the tool 14 are shown in FIG. 14. In some embodiments,the alignment template 15 may have a length and width of about 12.0inches+/−1.0 inch or so). The damage sizing opening 17 of the alignmenttemplate 15 may have a diameter about equal to the size of the repairpatch+0.25 inches, to represent the repair area plus small margin tohave topcoat such as paint removed. The diameter distance differencebetween the damage sizing opening 17 and the cover patch perimeter 18may be about 1.25 inches (+/−0.05 inches). In other embodiments, thedimensions of the alignment template 15 may be larger or smaller thanthose shown in FIG. 14 depending on the desired application of the tool14.

Multiple damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e may be provided on the alignmenttemplate 15. The damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e may be sufficiently thinto facilitate bending of the damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e to thecontour of the repair surface to which the alignment template 15 isapplied. The damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e may be detachable from thealignment template 15. In some embodiments, the damage sizing sheets 20a-20 e may be attached to the alignment template 15 and to each other ata hinge 19 binding and using a removable pressure-sensitive tape tosecure the sheets to the sheet below, for example and withoutlimitation. The damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e may be selectivelydetachable from the alignment template 15 and from each other along thehinge 19. Each damage sizing sheet 20 a-20 e may be generally square orrectangular. A sheet removal tab 21 may extend from each damage sizingsheet 20 a-20 e. Alignment inspection openings 22 may extend througheach damage sizing sheet 20 a-20 e. The alignment inspection openings 22may be aligned with the respective alignment markings 16 provided on thealignment template 15. A damage sizing opening 23 may be stacked andextended throw with respect to each opening 23 in each damage sizingsheet 20 and diameter 17 in template 15. The damage sizing openings 23may be disposed in aligned or registering relationship with respect toeach other and the damage sizing opening 17 in the alignment template15. In some embodiments, the damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e may bedifferent colors and the width or diameter of the damage size opening 23may be marked to enable personnel to easily assess and report the sizeof the repair area to which the tool 14 is applied. In some embodiments,the damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e may progressively decrease in sizefrom the alignment template 15 to the fifth damage sizing sheet 20 e.

In some embodiments, the tool 14 may include a first damage sizing sheet20 a provided on the alignment template 15; a second damage sizing sheet20 b provided on the first damage sizing sheet 20 a; a third damagesizing sheet 20 c provided on the second damage sizing sheet 20 b; afourth damage sizing sheet 20 d provided on the third damage sizingsheet 20 c; and a fifth damage sizing sheet 20 e provided on the fourthdamage sizing sheet 20 d. In other embodiments, the tool 14 may includea greater or lesser number of damage sizing sheets. The damage sizingsheets 20 a-20 e may be progressively smaller in size from the firstdamage sizing sheet 20 a to the fifth damage sizing sheet 20 e. Thedamage sizing opening 23 of the first damage sizing sheet 20 a may besmaller in size than diameter opening 17 (the repair patch area plusmargin) of the alignment template 15, and the damage sizing openings 23may be progressively smaller in size from the first damage sizing sheet20 a through the fifth damage sizing sheet 20 e. In some embodiments,each damage sizing sheet 20 a-20 e may have truncated corners 24 forpurposes which will be hereinafter described.

In one exemplary application, the tool 14 may initially be inspected todetermine whether the damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e are properlyaligned with the alignment template 15. Accordingly, a visual inspectionmay be made to determine whether the alignment inspection openings 22 inthe damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e are aligned with the alignmentmarkings 16 (FIG. 13) provided on the alignment template 15. In theevent that the damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e are properly aligned withthe alignment template 15, the alignment inspection openings 22 in thedamage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e register with the respective alignmentmarkings 16 on the alignment template 15. Therefore, the tool 14 can beused to locate, center damage, and measure a repair area on a compositestructure. In the event that the damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e are notproperly aligned with the alignment template 15, the alignmentinspection openings 22 in the damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e do notregister with the respective alignment markings 16 on the alignmenttemplate 15 and the tool 14 may be replaced before the repair arealocation and measurement method is initiated.

The alignment template 15 of the tool 14 may next be placed against therepair area surface (not shown) of a composite structure. The entirerepair area should be visible through the patch location plus margin 17of the alignment template 15 and the damage sizing openings 23 of therespective damage sizing sheet 20 a-20 e. In some applications, therepair area may include a linear scrape or a near-circular dent. Inother applications, the repair area may include an irregular geometricshape. The damage area should be centered within the exposed patchlocation plus margin 17 such that the repair area is an equal or uniformdistance from the perimeter of the patch location plus margin 17.

In the event that the entire repair area does not fit within in thedamage sizing opening 23 of the topmost damage sizing sheet 20 (whichcorresponds to the fifth damage sizing sheet 20 e in FIG. 3), the fifthdamage sizing sheet 20 e may be removed from the fourth damage sizingsheet 20 d such that the first damage sizing sheet 20 a through thefourth damage sizing sheet 20 d remain on the alignment template 15, asshown in FIG. 8. In the event that the entire repair area does not fitwithin in the damage sizing opening 23 of the fourth damage sizing sheet20 d, the fourth damage sizing sheet 20 d may be removed from the thirddamage sizing sheet 20 c, as shown in FIG. 9. The same process may becarried out with respect to the third damage sizing sheet 20 c, thesecond damage sizing sheet 20 b and the first damage sizing sheet 20 auntil the repair area is centered in the damage size opening 23 of oneof the damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e. The damage sizing opening 23 ofthe first damage sizing sheet 20 a may correspond to the maximumallowable size of the repair area to enable use of a quick compositerepair using a repair patch. The damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e may beremoved from the alignment template 15 and each other by grasping andpulling the sheet removal tabs 21. This process is documented in FIG.16.

After the repair area is fitted and centered through the damage sizingopening 23 of one of the damage sizing sheets 20 a-20 e, the alignmenttemplate 15 may be secured to the repair area surface on the compositestructure using tape (not shown) or other suitable attachment technique.As shown in the drawings, due to the truncated corners 24 on the damagesizing sheets 20 a-20 e, the template corners 15 a of the alignmenttemplate 15 may remain exposed to facilitate taping of the corners ofthe alignment template 15 to the repair surface. After the alignmenttemplate 15 is secured to the repair surface, the remaining damagesizing sheet or sheets 20 a-20 e may be detached from the alignmenttemplate 15. The alignment template 15 may be further secured along itsperimeter to the repair surface using additional tape (not shown). Inanother embodiment of alignment template 14, damage sizing sheets 20 maybe recessed and slightly smaller than alignment template 15 on at leastone edge, allowing tape securing, and subsequent damage sheet removal.

After the alignment template 15 is secured to the repair surface and theremaining damage sizing sheet or sheets 20 a-20 e is/are detached fromthe alignment template 15, the repair area may remain exposed throughthe damage sizing opening 17 of the alignment template 15 and maycorrespond to the paint removal and adhesive application area forapplication of a quick composite repair patch (not shown). The coverpatch perimeter 18 on the alignment template 15 may indicate the coverpatch cover area. In some embodiments, the cover patch perimeter 18 mayinclude slots which extend through the alignment template 15 and may beused as a pen or marker guide to draw a line on the repair surface. Thealignment template 15 may next be temporarily removed from the repairsurface. The line which was made using the pen or marker may remain onthe repair surface and corresponds to the cover patch perimeter 18 onthe alignment template 15, serving as a guide line to apply the coverpatch to the repair area. Paint may be removed from the repair surfaceby sanding the repair surface within the confines of the marked or drawncircle on the repair surface.

The alignment template 15 may then be re-applied to the repair surfaceand used as a template for application of an adhesive to the repairarea. The line which was marked on the repair surface may facilitaterealignment of the alignment template 15 with the repair area on therepair surface. An adhesive (not shown) may then be applied to thesanded repair surface within the diameter of the damage sizing opening17 of the alignment template 15, after which the cover patch may bebonded to the surface using the adhesive and the adhesive may be curedusing curing techniques which are well known to those skilled in theart.

Referring next to FIG. 15, a flow diagram 1500 of an illustrativeembodiment of a quick composite repair method is shown. In block 1502, aquick composite repair template tool having a tool body and a convexradius edge, a concave radius edge and a ruler edge with ruler markingson the tool body may be provided. In block 1504, the convex radius edgeor the concave radius edge of the tool body may be placed against aconcave repair surface or a convex repair surface, respectively. Inblock 1506, the repair process may be continued if the concave repairsurface matches the contour of the convex radius edge or the convexrepair surface matches the contour of the concave radius edge,respectively, of the tool body. In block 1508, the repair process may bediscontinued if the repair surface is smaller than the convex radiusedge or the concave radius edge of the tool body. In block 1510, therepair area may be sanded. In block 1512, an adhesive may be applied tothe repair area. In block 1514, a repair patch may be applied to theadhesive. In block 1516, the adhesive may be cured.

Referring next to FIG. 16, a flow diagram 1600 an alternativeillustrative embodiment of a quick composite repair method is shown. Inblock 1602, a quick composite repair template tool having an alignmenttemplate with a damage size opening and damage sizing sheets on thealignment template may be provided. The damage sizing sheets may haveprogressively smaller damage sizing openings. In block 1604, alignmentof the damage sizing sheets with the alignment template may be verified.In block 1606, the alignment template may be placed against a repairsurface. In block 1608, a repair area on the repair surface may beobserved through the damage size openings. In block 1610, the damage iscentered in the opening of the damage sizing sheets and the question isasked whether the repair area is centered within the damage size openingof the damage sizing sheet. If the answer is yes, then proceed to block1612. If the answer is no, then proceed to block 1611 to ask thequestion “is damage sizing sheet the largest sheet or maximum allowedsize for damage? If yes then proceed to box 1615 and stop (as damagethis large is not allowed). If the answer to 1611 is no, then proceed toblock 1613 to remove present damage sizing sheet and expose next sheethaving larger damage sizing opening, then proceed to block 1608. Inblock 1612, the alignment template may be secured to the repair surface.In block 1614, the remaining damage sizing sheets may be removed fromthe alignment template. In block 1616, the repair area may be sanded. Insome embodiments, a fail patch perimeter may be provided on thealignment template, the repair surface may be marked using the coverpatch perimeter and the alignment template may be removed from therepair surface prior to sanding the repair area. In block 1618, thealignment template may be replaced on the repair surface and an adhesivemay be applied to the repair area using the alignment template as atemplate. In block 1620, a repair patch may be applied to the adhesive.In block 1622, the adhesive may be cured.

Referring next to FIGS. 17 and 18, embodiments of the disclosure may beused in the context of an aircraft manufacturing and service method 78as shown in FIG. 17 and an aircraft 94 as shown in FIG. 18. Duringpre-production, exemplary method 78 may include specification and design80 of the aircraft 94 and material procurement 82. During production,component and subassembly manufacturing 84 and system integration 86 ofthe aircraft 94 takes place. Thereafter, the aircraft 94 may go throughcertification and delivery 88 in order to be placed in service 90. Whilein service by a customer, the aircraft 94 may be scheduled for routinemaintenance and service 92 (which may also include modification,reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so on).

Each of the processes of method 78 may be performed or carried out by asystem integrator, a third party, and/or an operator (e.g., a customer).For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may includewithout limitation any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-systemsubcontractors; a third party may include without limitation any numberof vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be anairline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and soon.

As shown in FIG. 18, the aircraft 94 produced by exemplary method 78 mayinclude an airframe 98 with a plurality of systems 96 and an interior100. Examples of high-level systems 96 include one or more of apropulsion system 102, an electrical system 104, a hydraulic system 106,and an environmental system 108. Any number of other systems may beincluded. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of theinvention may be applied to other industries, such as the automotiveindustry.

The apparatus embodied herein may be employed during any one or more ofthe stages of the production and service method 78. For example,components or subassemblies corresponding to production process 84 maybe fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components orsubassemblies produced while the aircraft 94 is in service. Also one ormore apparatus embodiments may be utilized during the production stages84 and 86, for example, by substantially expediting assembly of orreducing the cost of an aircraft 94. Similarly, one or more apparatusembodiments may be utilized while the aircraft 94 is in service, forexample and without limitation, to maintenance and service 92.

Although the embodiments of this disclosure have been described withrespect to certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood thatthe specific embodiments are for purposes of illustration and notlimitation, as other variations will occur to those of skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A composite repair template tool, comprising: atool body; a convex radius edge on the tool body; and a concave radiusedge on the tool body.
 2. The composite repair tool of claim 1 furthercomprising a ruler edge on the tool body and a plurality of rulermarkings on the tool body along the ruler edge.
 3. The composite repairtool of claim 2 wherein the tool body is generally triangular.
 4. Thecomposite repair tool of claim 3 further comprising a corner joining theconvex radius edge and the concave radius edge.
 5. The composite repairtool of claim 3 further comprising a corner joining the concave radiusedge and the ruler edge.
 6. The composite repair tool of claim 3 furthercomprising a corner joining the ruler edge and the convex radius edge.7. The composite repair tool of claim 3 further comprising a firstcorner joining the convex radius edge and the concave radius edge, asecond corner joining the concave radius edge and the ruler edge and athird corner joining the ruler edge and the convex radius edge.
 8. Thecomposite repair tool of claim 3 further comprising a notched cornerjoining the convex radius edge and the concave radius edge and atruncated corner joining the ruler edge and the convex radius edge. 9.The composite repair tool of claim 1, such that at least one of: theconvex radius edge, and the concave radius edge of the tool body areconfigured to be placed against a repair surface.
 10. The compositerepair tool of claim 2, wherein the plurality of ruler markings isconfigured along the ruler edge such that the ruler edge is configuredto measure at least one of a location and a size of a repair area. 11.The composite repair tool of claim 1, such that at least one of: theconvex radius edge, and the concave radius edge of the tool body areconfigured to be placed against a repair surface.
 12. A composite repairtool, comprising: a tool body with a convex radius edge and a concaveradius edge; such that at least one of: the convex radius edge, and theconcave radius edge, of the tool body are configured to be placedagainst a repair surface and indicate if a contour of the repair surfacehas a larger radius than one of: the convex radius edge, and the concaveradius edge of the tool body.